Belmont Day

Posted in Uncategorized by Flavor on June 9, 2018

With starting pitchers dropping like flies all over mlb there is still every reason to believe that we are in a strong position to win the NL West this season. Obviously that assumes our health woes are behind us and who knows, maybe they’ve just begun…..

If I’m Bochy I throw everything at the Nats today. We aren’t winning tomorrow. Let’s claw for a win today…..

I made my feelings clear about Justify on the last thread. Loo and I seem to be in lockstep on this one. The horse we agree on is Tenfold. I also feel strongly about Vino Rosso and/or Hofburg blazing past a winded Justify in the stretch. Either way it will be an exciting day leading up to the race that will, hopefully, not see a triple crown coronation in the winners circle…..

96 Responses

Kinda funny re: the note about Giants/Warriors titles lately while Giants are in DC where Caps Stanley Cup W is first title for any team there since ’92.

Wasn’t it 2012 playoffs when Giants ( using Lincecum out of pen) battled Dusty and Reds and got down 0-2 at home? Reds had all those SPs including Cueto, plus Chapman. They traded it all away because they couldn’t afford them all and now where are they.
22-42, worse than the Marlins. Yeow…and it’s mostly because pitching sucks in that bandbox yard.

cautionary tale of FO totally botching rebuild. they had Cueto Latos Leake plus Chapman, and Votto Phillips Bruce young Cozart and Frazier. Look at them today and almost all the top WAR guys wearing different hats. All of above are gone except Votto.

Boch continuing to shake the line-up like a martini shaker. Agree with Flav…all hands on deck for the W and series win, today. Take No Prisoners!

I don’t play the ponies, but love watching the races that make up the triple crown. Since winning it is such a rare feat, I am going against the flow ( and hopefully do not incur Craig’s wrath in doing so), and pulling for Justify. 😉

Make it an awesome day, FU. Will be watching some dear friends tie the knot this afternoon…should be fun.

Justify is going to be 3-5 or so, pretty much everyone in the country is rooting for him. I get that. I look at this more as a handicapping challenge, I don’t care if he wins or loses outside of how it affects my bottom line for the day. My angle is that he’s going to lose because of the take I posted yesterday. If he wins I’ll just lose money I don’t care about that nor will I feel vindictive if he wins the triple crown. It’ll just mean I handicapped the race wrong.

that’s been kicked around, but I don’t see it (also with KD coming back there’s zero way to make the financial side of that deal work). He’s not built that way and he clearly still thinks he’s the best player in the NBA and that he can get this done with a team that’s not a bunch of scrubs (basically what he had this year in Cle).
I am with the crowd on this one, I think he’s going to Philly but Houston wouldn’t blow my mind. LA would blow my mind, they aren’t ready yet.

We don’t need his “Whiney” ass on the Dubs!
Don’t screw with team chemistry adding him!!
He can go to Boston are Houston!!
I say Boston will be the team, up sand coming with the second best coach in the league behind Kerr..Wherever he ends up he will only be second best to the Dubs!!

NBA is a player driven league, e.g., see Miami, Lakers (Bryant, Shaq, Jabbar, Chamberlain, etc.), Boston (Bird era), etc. Besides our own GM, name another GM in the league? Unless, you’re a basketball fanatic, it’s difficult to name even a couple. In short, the players have so much power to go wherever they want, i.e., they talk amongst themselves (again, see Lebron, Wade, Bosh). Not certain that Lebron and any of the Warriors have that type of friendship. Perhaps, with Lebron and Steph – see their White House visit comments.

I’m definitely not saying it is going to happen, or even likely to happen, but saying that there’s “no way in hell” is ignoring the small possibility of it happening. Besides, as I have noted above, the NBA is like no other league.

Where are you getting that there’s even a small possibility of it happening? Finances, poor fit and Durant returning preclude that from being the case. KD is in line for his supermax deal after pushing it back to return this year, Steph already has his; the dollars just aren’t there.

Would the Warriors answer the phone call and listen? Probably; but that’s hell and gone from seriously considering bringing him aboard. It’s just a lousy fit for both sides.

You’re cracking me up LJ . . . Again, read what I just wrote. Or, consider this – How many people thought Kevin Durant would go to the Warriors PRIOR to May 2016 (before his heart breaking loss when the Thunder squandered a 3–1 lead to the Warriors in the Western Conference finals)? Umm, probably just about zero.

Fast forward today, his decision to join the Warriors was several degrees more extreme than what LeBron did joining Bosh and Wade in Miami. Shit, it would be more like Shaq joining the ’96 Bulls. Again, I am not saying it is going to happen, but I disagree with you and others saying “no way in hell.”

And by the way, it’s probably the main reason I dislike the NBA. I love the Warriors, but frankly, the league has become a couple (more like one – lqtm) of “haves,” and the rest are “have nots.” What’s the fun in that?

And that’s where whatever animus toward the Warriors that was mentioned the other day comes in. It’s not so much that they built such a powerhouse — only an numbskull would deny the Warriors made plenty of great moves/picks to get where they are — but then they added Durant to that mix and, except for maybe the Rockets, it’s just not a fair fight right now.

The nba salary cap is designed to favor teams to re sign their own players. If a guy like KD gets sick of playing with Westbrook (and who wouldn’t) and he wants to take less money to play elsewhere, shit that is his right and I respect a guy like that a lot more than someone who just wants to max out Everytime

I never said he didn’t have the right to do that, of course he does. Same when LeBron took his talents to South Beach. I can’t speak for other non-Warriors fans, but to me it’s made them a lot less likable. And I also get Dubs fans don’t give a fuck about that, haha.

If you just watch their play they are impossible not to like. They play a team game, they share the ball, none of them give a shit about being “the man”. I get why people don’t like Draymond or Steph’s shimmy, but these are good guys playing the game the right way.

Like I said Flav, there’s likely not even a remote possibility of it happening, but I have seen too many unbelievable moves occur in this league (as I noted above). By the by, it is not a hard salary cap. Teams can pay a penalty and they are severe, e.g., this is 2017 info, so it might have increased/changed the penalties, but I believe this is what happens:

“Teams pay a luxury tax this year if they exceed $119 million. It starts with $1.50 for every $1 they are over, and rises at various levels from there if they soar $5 million or more past the tax. But that starts at $2.50 for every $1 if a team is a “repeater,” having been a taxpayer for the previous three seasons.”

Agree with what you said, “Who wouldn’t want to play with the Warriors?”

No, your point is spot on Mac. I totally get it. It’s the main reason I can’t really dig the NBA right now. On the scale of Warrior championships, I rate the Attles/Barry and the first Curry led championships equally.

What did that English dude on television say? “They did it the old fashioned way.”

Westbrook got props for staying in okc, man fuck him. He’s a total fucking ball hog who cares only about his triple doubles and fake-cares about what it truly takes to win a championship as a team. Ok, NOW I’m done lol. Horse racing calls.

He’s not saying that Flav (nor am I). The Warriors play the game the way it was meant to be played. Correct me if I am wrong, but the basketball wonks call it ISO now, where they try to get the ball to their best player? Anywho, what I am trying to say is that the Warriors play team basketball the way we did it when I played high school basketball.

He’s saying adding Durant made it not a “fair fight” and I think that take is what the sore losers in the nba are falling back on. You are saying what you said, that they play ball the old fashioned way. Those are two different takes

Yes, the Warriors play an excellent team game. They’re a great example to counter the usual complaints I hear about the NBA that no one plays team ball. But they were like that, and probably more so, before KD came along. Now they’re damn-near impossible to defend.

Other teams should try to build a team to beat the warriors. It won’t be easy. But it wasn’t easy to build the warriors. A lot more went into it than just casually signing Durant one summer afternoon. I get what you’re saying Mac, I’m just tired of reading all the haters on Twitter who think the warriors somehow conspired with the nba to build a superteam. It was several years in the making.

This is where I will give Houston credit. Darryl Morey (their GM) specifically built this years team to try and beat the Warriors. It was literally discussed every single day once they signed CP3. If anyone respects what the Dubs have done, it’s Houston’s front office, even if the rest of the NBA and their fans do not.

I have an acquaintance who fits that description and was considering passing him off as me in 2014 when I met Macdog at Citifield. It would have been hysterical but also cruel because the poor guy has so many issues that he can’t help. I couldn’t bring myself to exploit him…

The comedic possibilities I passed up are giving me second thoughts, even though I know I did the right thing.
I could’ve compounded it 20 times over at the Flapalooza.
I’m getting a little sick of doing the right thing…

I had no fucking idea what to expect in meeting Loo for the first time, but knew it was him as soon as I saw him. That was an absolute bad ass time. One of the highlights of my life. Great trip, great memories.

It was a great time, Chi, but man what a different thing I could’ve (should’ve?) turned my part of it into.
For one thing, the man I’m talking about does not speak.
At all.
If you shake his hand he will not let go.
Ever.
You would still be in Professor Thom’s today…

LeBron’s best choice would be Philly, IMO.
His old Cav GM that he likes is a candidate to take over that GM job. If he does, the fix is in.
Up and coming young team with talent. Big market.
Still in the East, so he’s got a straight shot to winning the conference title and going to the Finals till he retires.
He’d be crazy to come West, i.e., to LA specifically.
In the West, the way to the Finals is ultimately blocked by the Dubs…

Off topic . . . Not certain if CenturyLink is available on the two coasts or is only available in the Rocky Mountains region. I am a cut the cord person when it comes to television and home phone service, so I am not into those bundles. However, like most people, I absolutely need internet access, e.g., mostly for trading equities, but also to have some semblance of connection to the outside world, whether it be the news, family or friends. Besides, just having my smart phone isn’t enough, except when I travel.

So, my bill is about to go up – I always monitor this, as they never remind you about bill increases. Consequently, I had to research better prices, as well as give Centurylink an opportunity to match anything I found out was better. Fortunately, I saw a 2 year contract with Comcast Infinity for $39.99. Fast forward to Centurylink, where I literally got the run around for 2 days before I was directed to their Retention Department (yes, I tried to contact them initially). Anyway, I got a good deal and dealt with a competent person, Richard.

Earlier this morning, Centurylink asked me to review him and their overall services (him a 10, them a 0, nada, zero, zip). This is what I wrote in conclusion:

“The interaction with Richard can NOT be taken in isolation. Richard was outstanding. In fact, the other times I have dealt with employees at your “Retention” Department, I have enjoyed the experience. Why? Because they are COMPETENT AND CUT TO THE CHASE. Conversely, your customer service staff – the first people you are directed to on the phone when you have an issue with your bill – are complete morons. Each and every time I have dealt with someone from this office I have experienced the following: 1. A cacophony of noise, where you can barely understand what the person is saying (i.e., it’s obviously a call center); 2. Each customer service person can barely put a coherent sentence together. Consequently, they rely upon drop down menu responses; 3. So much time is wasted due to the aforementioned point, as well as their incessant niceties, where they think being nice resolves an issue . . . NOT; and, 4. These imbeciles have no authority to make decisions/resolve problems.

Also, your customer service people who man the chat room on your main web link are idiots too for the same reasons I noted above regarding your phone personnel. All of them should be fired. Each and every time I have dealt with them, I have literally wasted an hour going around in circles. Both the phone and chat line customer service reps should have this motto: “Exhaust the customer by wasting their time and they will give up.”

So yes, Richard was outstanding. Give him a raise. Do anything to keep him and employees like him. Without him, Centurylink as a company is in trouble. Seriously. By the by, knowing what I know about your company, I will NEVER invest in it, unless another company buys you out.”

I have yet to cut the cord, and when my introduction/promo (usually two years) price is about to expire, I play the other players against the incinbemt to get the next killer deal for 2-3 years. Similar to your process. Comcast, well, most of the major providers have shit front line customer service. They all suck, IMO. You have to go through bullshit to get to a competent person who can handle your issue, and approve it.

Oh, yes AK . . . I thought I was clear about that. See where I said, “Anyway, I got a good deal and dealt with a competent person, Richard.” Chi is right, they’re all like that – different degrees of incompetence, but when all is said and done, I really dislike dealing with them. Sort of like the old joke, “Who is going to pay me the 3-4 hours (or fill in the blank) I lost in my life dealing with you morons?”

Justify that is.
If you don’t have a bet on the race, it’s obnoxious to root against someone who does, nevertheless, I would love to see him win the Triple Crown.
A friend of mine from Queens sneaks onto railroad property that has a view of the final turn at Belmont and takes a selfie with her crew as the field is passing behind her.
The photo of American Pharaoh in 2015 is exhilarating, hope she’s there today.
Epic horse, the greatest trainer ever.

Chad Brown on the Belmont pace, “Surprised and disappointed (that no one pressed Justify). I don’t know what the other riders expect if you let the horse run loose. Down the backside I figured it would be nearly impossible for him to get beat by anyone.”

P-Val was as respected a rider as there ever was. Sometimes I think the purse money is so high, that the riders, trainers and owners would rather settle for second and third money than risk it all to try to beat a superior opponent…

just stumbled upon this at wikipedia of all places, what a brilliant collection of words….
“Had Sunday Silence retired in Kentucky, it’s almost certain he would have tanked commercially and been exported in disgrace, but he found his perfect gene pool and thrived instead.”

LATE NIGHT NERDOMANIA:
All 21st Century Giants 25 Man Roster (best season)
Stipulations- Stratomatic ranks defense 1-5. No players with only 4 ratings or worse. eligible (buh-bye Moises). You must field whose defense up the middle (C,2B,SS,CF)) totals no more than 8 points, an OF who plays all three fields well, a utility infielder, back up catcher. 2B and SS are a package deal, either Kent ’00 w/ Aurelia ’01 or Panik ’15 w/ Crawford ’15 (in real world defensive ratings as well as Stratomatic, the best ever combined season by 2B/SS.)
Steroids? Not a problem!

It’s between him, Ramon E. Martinez ’00 or Juan Uribe ’10. He’s the only one eligible at 2B, SS, and 3B who can hit and whose fielding isn’t a big downgrade from Panik/Crawford. I’d start him at 3B against kefties.

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Timmy is 34 now. And I want to say “only 34”. And he’s been pretty much done for awhile. I can’t really even imagine how that would feel, to be *done* before the age of 35. Because, you know, my career has just been one long upward trajectory with no end in sight…